Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Chapter
Twenty-One
Livvy
To keep up appearances, our parents wanted us to sleep in separate rooms even though we already lived together. Beau’s bedroom suite was literally on the other wing of the castle from mine. My suite was attached to the bridal room, and at first, I was freaked out to be sleeping by myself in this big-ass estate. This place was old as hell, making all sorts of questionable noises throughout the day.
My mother must have sensed my apprehension. While I got ready for bed after our engagement party, she came into my room to kiss me good night.
As she left, she turned and abruptly announced, “Don’t worry, honey. I made sure to have Ethan’s suite right next to yours. Your best friend isn’t far if you need him.”
The loud knock on my door the following morning sounded like a bulldozer plowing through my room. I shot straight up off the mattress, dazed and confused about where I was for a second.
“Come in,” I shouted, and it echoed along the concrete walls.
Moments later, my mother walked in with Ethan behind her.
“Look at you, sleepyhead,” she greeted.
I grabbed my face, rubbing sleep from my eyes. “What time is it?”
“Seven thirty.”
“Mom,” I bit, shaking my head. “We went to bed at almost three in the morning. Why are we awake right now?”
She smiled before making her way into the closet. “Honey,” she exclaimed from inside the closet. “Your gowns will be here at eleven, and you need to get ready. Then we have breakfast scheduled at nine with your bridal party, mother-in-law, and some of Beau’s family. It’s all women.” She stepped out of the closet. “Other than Ethan of course.” She smirked at him. “Since you’re Livvy’s man of honor, you’re one of the girls this week.”
Ethan stood by the door, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest and one foot over the other. An amused expression spread across his face.
“I mean,” Mom added, “unless you want to join the men. I’m sure Beau wouldn’t mind.”
“I’d mind,” he stated, looking at me. “I’m here for Livvy. If that means I have to spend the rest of the week with the most beautiful women in France, then so be it.”
“Ethan.” Mom giggled like a schoolgirl.
I rolled my eyes, slightly chuckling. He always knew how to charm her. “Lovely,” I muttered under my breath as my eyes shifted back to my mom holding a white maxi dress I bought in Europe one summer and never wore before.
“This dress will be perfect for today,” she declared.
“Mom,” I stressed, unpleased. “Are you planning on dressing me for the rest of the week?”
“I just want you to look your best.”
“Are you saying I can’t look my best if I dress myself?”
“Honey, no.” She walked over to me. “I’m just saying this is such a special week, and you need to look extra put together.”
I reached for the dress. “Whatever.”
She handed it to me. “I also told the makeup artist to go light on your makeup. We don’t want you to stain any of the wedding gowns.”
“Mom, can you get some coffee before you start ordering me around, please?”
“Ethan already has that for you.”
Only then did I notice a cup of coffee on the dresser. I smiled, nodding for him to bring it to me. He understood my silent command and did.
“Okay,” Mom coaxed, bringing our attention back to her. “Up and at ’em, honey. The hairstylist and makeup artist will be here shortly, and we don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Why do I have to get glammed right now?”
“Sweetheart.” She stared at me with wide eyes. “The videographer and photographer are capturing every moment. Don’t you want to look back on these precious memories and know you looked your best?”
“You keep saying that, but I didn’t know I didn’t look my best without a glam squad.”
Ethan handed me my coffee. “You may as well get used to it, Livvy. After you’re the new Mrs. Hunter, I’m sure you’ll have a fleet of people around you in your new mansion.”
I jerked back. “My new what?”
Ethan shrugged. “I figured you’d be moving into one of the Hunters’ estates.”
“Oh… yeah… that’s probably what we’ll do.”
“You haven’t spoken to him about it?”
“Not yet.”
“Isn’t that a discussion you should have before you get married?”
Why haven’t we talked about it? If we haven’t talked about that… what else haven’t we discussed?
Ethen knew me like the back of his hand. I didn’t have to answer his question for him to understand what I was thinking and contemplating in my mind.
Mom suggested, “I’m hoping you two choose their property in Charleston so you can finally move back home near your family.”
I swallowed hard. I hadn’t given any thought to us moving, let alone into a mansion that wasn’t mine.
“Mom—”
“I know! I know! You’re Miss Independent, but you’re getting married. It’s not only about you anymore. And once you have kids, I can help you if I’m close by.”